When it comes to natural disaster recovery, time is of the essence. This is especially true when it comes to flood recovery. The longer you’re out of commission dealing with the damage, the more the flood costs you in cleanup, time and lost revenues in the long run. Here are a few tips from the experts at ServiceMaster of Buncombe County to help your Asheville or surrounding area business recover from flood damage quickly and effectively:

1. Contact Insurers

Your first order of business should be to contact your flood and business interruption insurance providers. The quicker you do this, the sooner you’ll be able to get the money you need to begin recovery.

2. Remove Electronics

Enlist the professional flood recovery team at ServiceMaster of Buncombe County to get all your electronics out of the building as quickly as possible. Every second your computers, printers, and other equipment are exposed to water puts them at risk for irreparable damage. The sooner you can get them out, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to salvage them, allowing you to go back to business as usual without buying all new equipment.

Do NOT try to go in to a flooded area to retrieve items yourself. Standing water can contain high levels of bacteria and can easily become black water if flood levels are high enough.

3. Take Inventory

The team at ServiceMaster of Buncombe County will work with you to take a detailed and thorough inventory of all business possessions. This includes furniture, electronics, paper products and personal possessions.

4. Have the Carpets and Upholstery Dried

Once all items have been removed, a professional team of experts will need to remove all the water in the building. This includes meticulously drying all the carpets, curtains, furnishings, and other soft items. The sooner you do this, the less time and money you'll have to spend on mold removal down the road.

5. Have the Structure Inspected

With the help of the expert recovery professionals at ServiceMaster of Buncombe County, inspect the foundation, support beams, and other structural features of the building. Check for signs of water and mold damage, and remove any remaining moisture. If there is damage, you’ll need to have it repaired before you let your employees back inside.